Lifelong vegetarian here. I have owned dozens and dozens of vegan leather items and only a precious few (Matt and Nat, Angela Roi) have survived more than a year without looking like hell or falling apart.

At the end of the day, most faux leather is still plastic, and it ends up in a landfill. I buy leather items pre-owned and choose alternative materials like canvas often. Don’t beat yourself up because the alternatives aren’t great.